Butte County
Biographies
BENJAMIN FARLAND JOHNSON, JR.
BENJAMIN FARLAND JOHNSON, JR.—Whoever
would partake of the certain pleasure through inspecting a well-kept creamery
in which every appointment is the “latest word,” and where the whole
arrangement portrays the far-seeing capacity of the management, and a wonderful
attention to every detail making for health and happiness, should visit the
Oroville Creamery managed by its proprietor, Benjamin Farland
Johnson, Jr. Born at Spring Lake, Utah, on April 22, 1878, the son of Benjamin Farland Johnson, a native of Salt Lake City, he was the
grandson of Benjamin Franklin Johnson, a pioneer of Utah who crossed the plains
from Illinois and became one of the earliest settlers of the Mormon State. The
family moved to Tempe, Ariz., in Salt River Valley, when Indians for the most
part were there; and after an arduous experience as a stockman, the grandfather
died there. Benjamin’s father farmed for years in Arizona, and now resides,
retired, with his son.
Mrs. Benjamin F. Johnson, Sr., was Miss
Rebecca Stevens before her marriage, a native of Utah and a daughter of Walter
Stevens, a pioneer who crossed the plains to Utah, and afterwards settled at
Fruitland, N. M., where he died. Mrs. Johnson is also still living–the
mother of nine children, three of whom are dead. Elinora
is Mrs. Young, of Grayson, Utah; J. W. is proprietor of Johnson and Oppenshaw’s Meat Market in Oroville; Abby has become Mrs. Prothero of Gridley; Ellis has a meat market at Durham, in
this county; Rose resides at home; and Benjamin F., Jr., our subject.
It was in 1881 that the Johnsons went to
Tempe, at that time a wild section, and set to work, among the first settlers
there, to redeem the country. They homesteaded and dug a ditch from the river,
and raised alfalfa; and then Mr. Johnson planted all kinds of nursery stock,
both deciduous and citrus trees. They set out orchards of peaches and pears;
but fruit became so cheap that growers abandoned the enterprise, and Mr.
Johnson finally sold out and bought another place where he engaged in farming.
All this time the lad, Benjamin, was attending the public school, after which
he helped his father. He remained home, in fact, busy with stock and dairy
farming, until he came to California.
In 1907 Mr. Johnson sold out and removed
to Gridley, Cal., and there he and his father bought twenty acres each and soon
sunk a good well. Young Mr. Johnson planted to alfalfa, while his father set
out an orchard; and about the same time the former engaged in the dairy
business, which he continued for five years. Then, selling out, he opened a
meat business in Wheatland, Yuba County, though he continued to reside at
Gridley; but in nine months he disposed of his holding.
In June, 1915, Mr. Johnson located in
Oroville and started in creamery trade. He began with one wagon, delivering
here; but gradually increased his outfit, at the same time adding the making of
butter, ice cream, etc. He now runs three auto deliveries and supplies
practically all of the trade in town. His establishment is located at
614 Montgomery Street, and there he has installed an
electrical equipment for the making of ice cream and other creamery
products, all of which are sold at both retail and wholesale. A three-ton ice
plant adds ice to the articles made and sold here.
When Mr. Johnson was married, he chose for
his bride, at Tempe, Miss Caroline M. Jones, who was born in Lehigh, Ariz., of
a pioneer family there; and six children have blessed this union: Hildred Caroline, Lulu, Edward, Vernard,
Lloyd and Jesse. With their parents they are members of the Latter Day Saints
Church at Gridley. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are independent Republicans.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard
16 October 2009.
Source:
"History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 1245-1246, Historic Record Co, Los
Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2009 Marie Hassard.
Golden Nugget Library's
Butte County Biographies